Portable photo booth hire for weekend events
Rent a portable open-air booth with an iPad or camera setup to wedding and party hosts, run on weekends from home.
- C$1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A lightweight, open-air photo booth (a tablet or camera on a stand, a backdrop, lighting and a printer) that you set up at weddings, birthdays and corporate parties. Guests take photos and get prints or digital copies.
Your first three steps
- Price your packages by checking what local booth companies charge for 2 to 4 hour bookings
- Buy or lease a portable kit, then test it with friends and family and take sample photos for your website
- Make a simple booking page and contact local wedding venues, planners and DJs about referrals
Who pays
Couples planning weddings, parents booking birthday and graduation parties, and workplaces hosting holiday or team events.
How it makes money
Flat rental package for a set number of hours, with extras like custom print templates, props, a guest book or a longer booking. Printing is usually included in the price.
Skills that help
- Friendly and outgoing with guests
- Basic tech and troubleshooting
- Reliable and organized on the day
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance, as many venues ask for a certificate of insurance
- Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
- Dye-sub printers and tablets can fail, so carry spares and a backup plan
- Weekend and summer demand is strong, while winter can be quieter in many regions
- Check privacy rules on how you store and share guest photos
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: portable photo booth hire for weekend events
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a photo booth hire side hustle?
Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the tablet or camera, backdrop, lighting and printer you choose. It is wise to budget for spares in case a printer or tablet fails.
How much can a part-time photo booth business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $3,000, depending on how many weekend events you book. Demand is strong on weekends and in summer, while winter can be quieter in many regions.
What rules should I check before hiring out a photo booth?
Check commercial general liability insurance, as many venues ask for a certificate of insurance. Also check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and check privacy rules on how you store and share guest photos.
Other ways to run this business
Similar events ideas
Home-based wedding and event florist
Design bouquets, centrepieces and arrangements for weddings and events from a studio space at home.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Indoor monthly makers' and growers' market
Rent a hall once or twice a month and fill it with local food and craft stalls, including through the winter.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Fan trip packages to games and races
Organize group trips for fans to away games, playoff series and big races, with travel, tickets and stays sorted.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based balloon decor studio
Make balloon bouquets, garlands and arches at home, then deliver or set up for birthdays, showers and events.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile karaoke host for parties and events
Bring a karaoke system and your hosting skills to birthdays, weddings and office parties.
- C$1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Weekly karaoke nights for bars and pubs
Run regular karaoke nights at local bars and pubs that want more customers on quiet evenings.
- C$1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about